Written by Pembrokeshire County Council has revised its approach to accommodating overnight motorhome and campervan parking. Initially, the council proposed the “Pembs Stop” trial scheme, which aimed to permit overnight stays at four car parks: North Beach in Tenby, Goodwick Moor in Goodwick, Townsmoor in Narberth, and Western Way in Pembroke Dock. The plan was to allow stays of up to two nights at a fee of £10 per night over an 18-month trial period.
However, this proposal faced significant opposition from local tourism businesses and the official tourism body, Visit Pembrokeshire. Concerns were raised that the scheme could negatively impact existing campsites and place additional strain on local infrastructure, particularly public toilets.
In response to these concerns, a special council scrutiny committee meeting was held in April, where the scheme was overwhelmingly rejected. Subsequently, the council’s Cabinet decided not to proceed with the original “Pembs Stop” proposal. Instead, they have agreed to trial an overnight stopover facility for motorhomes at Goodwick Moor car park, linked to the Fishguard ferry port. This facility will allow one-night stays from 7 pm to 9 am at a cost of £10 per night. The trial is set to commence in March 2025 and will run for an 18-month period, with the potential to extend the scheme to Pembroke Dock’s Western Way car park later in the year.
Councillor Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, stated that the trial aims to balance the needs of local businesses with those of campervan users. He noted that campervans are already using the Goodwick car park, and the proposal offers an opportunity to regularize and manage the existing situation, directing people away from parking inappropriately. The council estimates that approximately 1,000 campervans use the facility annually and plans to learn from similar trials conducted in Snowdonia.
The council’s decision reflects a compromise intended to support tourism while addressing the concerns of local businesses and residents. The outcome of the trial will inform future policies on motorhome and campervan accommodation in Pembrokeshire.